Standardisation and innovation in information technology

A conference on standardisation and innovation in information technology will be held in Aachen, Germany, from 15 to 17 September 1999, organised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the Technical University of Aachen. The aim of the conference is to bring together researchers and practitioners from disciplines such as telecommunications, technology studies, economics, business studies, management sciences, politics and computer science.

Innovation is crucial in order to remain competitive in today's environment and the deployment and utilisation of information technology systems and applications are particularly important in this respect. Standards have frequently been accused of hampering progress because of their slow development processes and an alleged lack of responsiveness to market needs. The interrelation between the innovation and standardisation process will therefore provide the focus for discussions.

The conference organisers are currently seeking the submission of papers for presentation during the conference. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

- The role of standards in the information structure;
- National and regional standardisation policies;
- Analysis of, and new models for, standardisation processes;
- The role of consortia in standards making;
- The economic dimension of IT standards;
- The impact of standards on innovation;
- Corporate innovation processes;
- National and regional innovation policies.
For further information, please contact:

Technical University of Aachen
Computer Science Department, Informatik IV
Kai Jakobs
Ahornstrasse 55
D-52074 Aachen
Tel. +49-241-8021405; Fax +49-241-8888220
E-mail: Kai.Jakobs@i4.informatik.rwth-aachen.de